Springing into the hodgepodge with a question or three

 

 Here we are again and I'm springing into the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce and the gang at From This Side of the Pond.   Again this week I'm not attempting all of the questions.  Just the easier ones.  So ...

3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.  

I'll soon be springing into action at my volunteer job.  Just got word today of an upcoming ministry opportunity in April, so I'll be planning menus to prepare for a small volunteer work team.

4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? 

asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions

Oh, this is a tough questions ... it would be between asparagus and strawberries.  I'll go with strawberries! (Although, up here, strawberries are more of a late June, early July crop, not spring.)  This Strawberry Cheesecake Pie from Spend with Pennies is a favorite for sure.

5. What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? 

Surprisingly, I do have a list.  Actually, I made a list for every zone back when I thought our NV family was coming for 2 weeks.  Even though they would be staying at our cottage, I knew they would be here a lot and that the younger kiddos would want to see the nooks and crannies of their mom's childhood  home.  So I made a list for each zone and started working on one a week about five weeks before their intended arrival.  My plan did not work flawlessly, but it was effective, and so I'm continuing to work on those lists and hoping the family will reschedule for June.  And am trying to also incorporate that 7-day home reset I've been talking about, on an ongoing basis.

This week I am tackling mirrors, door glass, and picture glass, from Day 3 of the home reset.  This window cleaning system my daughter told me about makes this task a breeze.  I actually bought three more sets when I saw how well these cloths work.

Day 2 of the 7-day Home Reset is Linens & Laundry.

And there's my bit for this week's Hodgepodge!

A smidge of spring and summer decor

 

Just sharing a smidge of decor for late spring and early summer.  Just a smidge, because that's literally all I have done.  

I only have a few minutes to blog today so I will just mostly put up photos and captions.

A display atop a bookcase in a corner of my living room.  A couple of spring and summery mugs, one with faux boxwood sprigs, a sweet sign and a resin bird, and a small crewel embroidery done by me in the 1970s.  I still love it!

Two shelves on my hutch showcasing jadeite old and new, some strawberry themed mugs and a jam jar.  Upper shelf has new "jadeite" from Pioneer Woman; lower shelf has vintage Fire King jadeite.  Teapot and salt and pepper are vintage McCoy pottery in the Strawberry Country line.  I was blessed to acquire all of these, plus a matching crock, for free over the years.

 
Bottom shelf of my hutch featuring an ironstone soup tureen, a vintage cup and jadeite mug, a candle holder, Colonial Homestead salt shaker, plus a sweet reminder "family brings you home sweet home".

And the hutch in its entirety!
 

Happy summer, everyone!

Happy April Hodgepodge!

 

Taking a few moments to join in with Joyce and the gang for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond. Joyce writes the questions, bloggers provide the answers! Here we go ...

1. No foolin'! April is here. What's one fun thing on your April calendar? 

Getting together with friends next week for lunch and a visit to a curiosity shop.  We also had a fun visit today (April 1) with our friend Jennifer and her four little ones.

2. It's often said, 'A fool and his money are soon parted'...what's the last thing you wasted money on? 

I can't even think.  Maybe a prescription cream that didn't help my hubby's psoriasis? 

3.  April 2nd is National DIY day. Are you a do-it yourself kind of person or maybe you're married to one? If so, what's the last thing you DIY-ed. If you're not a DIY-er what's the most recent job you had to hire someone to complete? 

I am married to a DIY-er but I also like to DIY some things myself (spice mixes, cleaning products, etc.) to save money and up the quality.  I can't remember the last thing he DIYed, but probably my most recent one was  a zesty Italian salad dressing mix.   I usually make 6 or 8 times this recipe and store it in a little jar.  About 1 Tablespoon of the mix equals 1 packet of zesty Italian dressing mix.

 ZESTY ITALIAN DRESSING MIX
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon each: pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, sweet red pepper flakes
Pinch of paprika
Mix all together. Whirl in blender if a finer texture is desired. This recipe equals one envelope zesty Italian salad dressing mix. It may be doubled, tripled, or whatever quantity you need to make.

 The tea rack below was built quite a few years ago, but it has to be one  of Mr. T's best DIYs ever.  It always gets a ton of compliments from people and a wish to have one of these in their own kitchen.

4. Do you eat lamb? If so do you have a favorite dish that calls for lamb? 

I do not care for lamb, never have.   My mother had a way of preparing it with tomato paste and herbs so that I could tolerate it, but I have never really liked it.

5. Do you fit a stereotype in some way? Explain. 

I don't really think so.  There are some ways in which I might fit a particular stereotype, but other ways in which I shatter that same stereotype. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Getting ready for another week of cooking for my volunteer job.  I have the menus all organized but there is still a lot to do!  I like to prepare a lot of things ahead at least partially so there is less to do on site for each meal.  I just turned a maple apple muffin recipe into a coffeecake and my hubby tried it out.  Stay tuned as I will share the recipe, hopefully soon!

A refreshing day by the water

 

Yesterday we took an impulsive day trip to the Maine coast, a brief interlude between the busyness of May at TWNE and a busy summer catching up with things at home & camp as well as a potential road trip in July. 

Dunkin is often a day trip essential for us.  This time it was only a box of Munchkins which I didn't bother to photograph, choosing to use this older more classic photo instead.

 We got no photos at all of the beaches or lighthouse (we have plenty of those from other times and seasons) although we did go to both places.  The beach, though nowhere near as crowded as it will be in summer, was still much too crowded to enjoy walking on, so we were glad we knew of other walking options. 

And thus we got pictures of the lovely flowers along a favorite path, the Fisherman's Walk in York Harbor. 

This path winds along the ocean at the base of a hill and there are many lovely old plantings from the mansions situated above. These lilacs were especially beautiful and fragrant. 

Other photos are of pink bush honeysuckle,

  a yellow flowering bush or tree we couldn't identify,

and a deep purple lilac in the yard of a beautiful old home at the top of a side street. 

The deep purple lilacs are our favorites.

 
We had a refreshing day by the water.  I didn't realize until today how refreshed I feel.  We got home in time for a healthy supper, went to bed while it was still light out, and slept soundly.  Today I feel ready to tackle housework and other tasks with renewed energy.  So thankful for God's kindness in giving us this lovely day away.

A bit of springtime

 

We're super busy doing a lot of coming and going for our volunteer jobs at The Wilds of New England.  But I thought I'd share a few photos of spring's beauty.

These are at our house.  Primroses that come back each year.

These gorgeous tulips, along with the other flowers in this post, are at The Wilds of New England.

Magenta phlox setting off all the other colors.

Lastly, some glorious red and yellow tulips.

There you have it.  Just a short little post, but I'm sure readers agree that these photos speak volumes concerning God's creative handiwork and the intricacies of His design. 🌷

Hopping into the Hodgepodge

 

It's Wednesday again, so it's time for the Hodgepodge -- the linkup where Joyce, at  From This Side of the Pond, asks the questions and bloggers provide the answers on their own blogs.  This week's Hodgepodge questions have a spring and Easter theme.   Here goes:

1.What would you say is the most difficult task when it comes to spring cleaning? Have you completed that task this year? Any plans to get it done?

I don't do actual spring cleaning, preferring to try and keep up with cleaning tasks all year round, but I do find that windows need cleaning in spring after a long and messy winter.  Mr. T and I will work at it together, but it's not done yet.  Our house is still surrounded by snow.

A 1954 Wonder Book ready to list in my Etsy shop

2. Your favorite pastel color? Favorite thing you own in a pastel shade? 

Oh, that's a good question.  Possibly mint green, possibly peach, possibly light blue. Favorite thing I own in a pastel shade would probably be a peach colored sweater.

3. Do you like ham? Do you fix ham year round or is it mostly just a 'holiday food'? Baked ham-ham and eggs-ham and cheese sandwich-scalloped potatoes and ham-Hawaiian pizza....what's your pleasure? 

 

I do like ham.   I tend to only cook a ham at holiday time, but really there's no reason why I don't cook one any time of year.  I have a hot ham and potato salad recipe that we really enjoy.  Hawaiian pizza is good too -- I usually use barbecue sauce rather than pizza sauce on it.  I guess I have never posted that ham potato salad recipe, so there is no time like the present.   It really is delicious.  One could probably adapt it to use leftover Easter ham, but I've always just used ham steak.

HOT  HAM  AND  POTATO  SALAD
 

2 lb. red potatoes, scrubbed and cut in 1-inch cubes
8 ounces smoked ham steak, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 Tblsp. cider vinegar
1 Tblsp. honey
2 tsp. coarse-grained mustard (I often use the Dijon pub-style with mustard seeds)
1/3 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise (light works fine)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce
Chopped parsley to taste
Hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered (optional)
Plum tomatoes, quartered (optional)

    Place potatoes in saucepan; cover with lightly salted water.  Bring to boil, cover, lower heat, and simmer until just tender, about 15 minutes.
    Meanwhile, cook ham in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove  ham to a large bowl, using a slotted spoon.  Add celery and onion to the bowl.
    Pour vinegar into warm skillet, stirring to dissolve browned bits in bottom of pan.  Stir in honey and mustard.  Slowly whisk in mayo.  Add salt, pepper, and Tabasco.
    Drain cooked potatoes and, while still warm, add to mixing bowl.  Pour dressing over potatoes.  Toss gently to combine, then sprinkle on the chopped parsley.  Serve salad in a shallow bowl (or even in the skillet) encircled with egg and tomato quarters (sprinkled with salt & pepper) if desired.  Serve warm.

Yield :  4 servings.

4. Do you celebrate Easter? What did Easter look like when you were a kid? What are your plans for Easter this year? 

 

I do celebrate Easter! Joyously!  

When I was a kid, Easter was not a holiday that I fully understood.  We did go to church, but the Gospel was not really part of it.  We did not have Easter baskets.  Instead, my mother hid jelly beans around the house for us to collect.  We usually did have a lovely Easter dinner at my grandmother's farmhouse.

 Easter plans this year include an early outdoor service, breakfast at the church, then an Easter worship service.  My daughter and I plan to collaborate on Easter dinner at her house.  Yes, it will include ham!

5. Something that makes you feel hopeful amidst all the chaos and confusion this world brings? 

I can give only one possible answer to this: the fact that God is in complete control and that He is working all things after the counsel of His own will -- and that one day all wrongs will be made right.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Looking forward to dinner out with old friends this evening (Tuesday).  It will be good to catch up. 

And that's the Hodgepodge!  Have a wonderful Easter, everyone!

This year's maple-themed decor

 

 I really should share this year's maple-themed decorating with you all.   I posted a few photos on Instagram but nothing here on the blog.  So here are just a few photos and I'll add a little explanatory text with each one.

It's important to me to celebrate maple season each spring.  It was such a wonderful part of my life growing up, and still is.  Early spring could be a very discouraging season here in New Hampshire -- usually there's still a good bit of snow in addition to a lot of mud.  It's exceedingly rare that any spring flower, no matter how hardy, dares to show its head.  Sugaring time adds a spark of fun to the season as well as a wonderful purpose -- producing maple syrup to enjoy throughout the coming year.

Above are the basic maple themed shelves on my hutch.  Old maple syrup tins, a couple of "sugar cake" molds, and some vintage sugaring photos on the top shelf.

Below it, old and new jadeite, a maple syrup pitcher, and a couple of tiny brown birds.  I added the "blessed" sign just because I am blessed!

The above photo shows the entire hutch.  A bit blurry.  All of these photos were taken with the Kindle.

I added maple decor to the living room this year as well, atop a bookcase in a corner of the room.

 

Just a favorite lantern, a sap spile, some maple sugaring art, a syrup tin shaped like a cabin, and maple syrup labels from back in the day when Mr. T's grandfather and mine both made maple syrup to sell.

 

A closer look.

Above is the dining table with a maple-themed centerpiece.  A small cake dome contains a cabin-shaped maple syrup tin and a small wooden tree.

The cake dome is centered on a sugaring-themed linen towel.

From this end of the cake dome you can just see the wooden tree behind the cabin.

 Above is a closer look at that fascinating linen towel.  If you can't read it, it says "With warm days and freezing nights,  sweet impulsive life stirs in the woods.  Sap's A-Runnin'".  That is a wooden sap bucket at lower left. The red item is a wooden neck yoke which enabled the wearer to carry two gathering buckets at once.  A chickadee is perched on the yoke.

And there is just a little peek at this year's maple decor.  Hope it gives you just a tiny taste of New Hampshire maple sugaring season.

Spring scenes from here and there

 

No time for a long post, but I thought I'd share a few spring photos from here and there around New Hampshire.  We've been coming and going a lot of late, and we've even managed to snap a few pictures along the way.  At top, you see a pretty perennial I received as a Mother's Day gift at church.  One lady potted up these plants and gave them to all of the other ladies at church.  Mr. T and grandson Sam planted it over at our little camp, where it is looking quite happy indeed.

Several years ago we purchased a mini daffodil plant to have at church on Easter in memory of a dear young friend who passed away at 18.  We planted it out back and, to our surprise, it has thrived there.  This year was its prettiest, most prolific year ever.

This pretty wildflower -- bloodroot -- seeded itself by a corner of our garage.

The lovely tulip pictured above and below is on the grounds of a camp where Mr. T and I have been volunteering this spring.

What a sweet sight is a beautiful old truck in a green New Hampshire field in springtime! Even sweeter is the sight of two old trucks, and an old sawmill in the background.

 On our way home Friday afternoons from working our volunteer jobs, we've been stopping at this fabulous ice cream place.    Such delicious homemade ice cream and such fascinating sights to see.

 

 

The shadow of a fern was so pretty on the threshold of our little cottage!  I asked Mr. T to snap a photo or two when we were there on Monday.

There are so many other glorious shrubs, bushes and flowers that we haven't taken time to photograph.  (One of my very favorites is a lilac bush with both white and lavender blossoms.)  For now, these will have to do.  Hope you've enjoyed this little peek at springtime in the Granite State!